Scenic display device



` I Aug- 21, 1934 J. J. ANDERLICK 1,971,15Q

SCENIC DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 16. 1953 Patented Aug. 21, 1934 y 1,911,150 scemo DISPLAY Device Y John J. Anderlick, Chicago, Ill., assigner of onehalf to Benjamin Lerman and` one-half to JacobG. Ward, both of Chicago`,.Ill.

Application May 16, 1933, serial No. 671,393 4 claims. (o1. 272-8) This invention relates to scenic display devices which may be used in homes and other places for ornamental and decorative purposes, and which may also be used in store windows or the like for advertising purposes, and is more particularly related to a device of this kind in which the scenic display includes a hilltop effectV combined with a waterfall effect.

' One of the main objects of this invention is to employ a stationary support simulating the appearance of a mountain or the like withinwhich is mounted a rotatable glass screw or similar object which simulates when in motion a waterfall or the like. y

A further object of this invention is to provide a rotatable screw of lsuitable material,` such as clear glass, or thelike, whichwill present the efiect of running water when rotary motion is imparted to the screw.

A still furtherobject of this invention is to provide a structure ofthe character vstated in which a rotatable member is mounted, said member b'eing adapted for presenting the eiect of running liquid when rotary motion is imparted thereto.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a structure symbolic of a mountain within which is mounted for rotary movementa rotatable member symbolic of running liquid, whereby in the rotation of the member'the eilect of moving liquid is obtained. y

A still further object of thisinvention is to provide in a device of the character described a bas@ provided with a compartment for receiving a liquid and a rigid support mounted on said base simulating a hilltop or mountain and a rotatable member mounted in said support and extending to a point below the level of the liquid inthe base, said member when rotated being eiective for pre- ,l senting the appearance of moving liquid; A still further object of this invention is to provide a scenic display device of the character described, which will be simple in construction, assembly and operation, which may be produced along lines for low cost manufacture" and will be highly elicient for carrying out the purposesl for which it is designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, assembly and combination of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustratedin the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointedout in thev appended claims, it being understoodthat various changes in thev form, proportion, size and minor detailsof the structure may be made without departing Vfrom the spirit or sacricing any oi the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection oi which when considered in connection with the rfollowing description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily 4understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawing in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawing: v Figure 1 is a view in perspective of aA display device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the same; and Y Fig. 371s a wiring diagram for the motor and illuminating means employed with'the device.

Referring to the drawing more specifically by characters of referencathe numeral 10 designates generally a base member which may be formed of any suitable material and which may be provided with'suitable ornamentation to 'give-to the same the desired ornamental effect. The base 10 is provided with a basin 11 within which Vmay be disposed a supply of liquid 12'. Y Y

Formed integral with the base member 10 adjacent the rearl portion thereof is the upstanding portion 13, which portion may be finished to present the desired scenic eii'ect, whichV effect may be accomplishedin anysuitable and well known manner.` The upstanding portion 13 is provided with a lrear 'wall' 14, the side walls 15 andr an overhanging top wall 16.

A suitable motor, such, for example, as a synchronous motor may be employed for imparting the desired rotaryl motion to the member 17, which member is disposedin'positionin front of the rear wall 14 and is centrally placed therein. The member 1 7 may be in the form of aglass screw which when rotated will present the 'appearance of running liquid. Thus by using the proper shade of glass the same may be employed for simulating the effect Aof Vcertain desired liquids. For example, if a clear white glass is used the rotation of the'member 17 will present the appearance of clear running water, particularly if the liquid 12 disposed in the basin 11 is also water. However, if -a different effectis desired the memberl 17 may be formed of an amber glass," thereby simulating the appearance of running oil, or if formed of a white o-pal glass may simulate the appearance of running milk, the liquid disposed within the basin `11 being of the character which it is desired to simulate with the rotation of the member 17. To impart the rotary motion'to the member 17 a simple synchronous motor is employed, the operation `ofwhich is `well known, and in the embodimentillustrated, said member'comp'rises a rotary structure which is composed of a shaft A18 to which is secured the rotor 19. The rotor 19, as shown in the drawing, is composed of a pair of disks and is provided with a plurality of radial teeth 20 on the outer.r periphery thereof. The rotor co-operates with the pole pieces 2l and 22 and the yoke 23. On the yoke 23 is carried an energizing coil 24 to which current is conveyed by the wires 25 and 26 from the usual house line.

The motor structure is secured to a suitable bracket 27, which bracket has provided therein suitable bearings 28 for the shaft 18, said bracket being so arranged as to bring the lower portion of the shaft 18 in position in the space provided therefor between the rear wall 14 and the overhanging top wall 16 of the upstanding portion 13. The member 17 is rigidly secured to a member 29, which member is in turn secured to the shaft 18 for rotation therewith. Thus upon the actuation of the synchronous motor a rotary motion will be imparted to the member 17 and this will continue until the supply of current to the motor has been out off. I

To enhance the scenic effect, there is provided a suitable light source 30 which is mounted in the socket 31 securely held in place in the rear of the wall 13 by means of a bracket 32, the saidlight bulb being arranged so as `to throw the light through an opening 33 provided adjacent the upper portion of the rear wall 14. A suitable back plate 34 may be employed for completely closing the rear end of the device to therefore present a compact and complete article.

The provisionvof the light source 30 will be effective for throwing light rays upon the moving member 17 and for generally illuminating the space around said member for enhancing the appearance of the device.` It will be understood that the light 30 may be upon the same circuit operating the motor and that current maybe supplied from a conventional lighting source by means of the plug 35, the wiring leading to the motor and light 30 being illustrated in Fig. 3.

From the above it will be apparent that -I have produced a scenic display device which will produce the eifect of running liquid and when associated with a scene which is an imitation of the desired subject, a very realistic waterfallscene may be produced. Obviously any desirable ornamentation may be given to the device, so that the same may simulate otherscenic objects thanV that illustrated in the drawing. i

It will also be understood that while the device has been illustrated in a relatively small size for use in homes for ornamental and decorative purposes, the size thereof may be `greatly increased so as to be employed for commercial purposes, such, for example, as for advertising, and as already explained in those instances, the rotatable member 17 may bek made of such material as to simulate the running liquid which is being advertised. c Y

I also wish it understood that the design and construction of .the rotatable member 17 need not necessarily be of the screw type as illustrated in the drawing, as I have found that very satisfactory results may be obtained with any member of glass or the like, the surface of which is serrated or broken by longitudinal ridges, so that when rotary motion is imparted to the same itwill present the effect of running or moving liquid.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of kits advantages should be readily'understood from the foregoing without further description, and should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the strucural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as deiined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a base having a bowl for holding liquid, an upstanding portion formed integral with said base and disposed adjacent the rear portion thereof, the forward wall of said upstanding portion being 'formed with a recess, an overhanging top wall for said recess, said wall having an imitation liquid outlet opening formed therein, and a rotatable helical member disposed centrally of said recess and depending from said opening to said bowl, said rotatable member presenting the effect of running liquid when in rotation, and means for driving said rotatable member.

2. A device of the character described comprising a base having a bowl `for holding a supply of liquid, an upstanding portion carried by said base and disposed in rear .of said bowl, a rotatable helical member, which when in rotation will present the appearance of running liquid, said upstanding portion forming a background for said rotatable member, an imitation liquid outlet opening formed adjacent the upper portion of said upstanding portion, said rotatable member extending from said opening to a point within said bowl, means concealed from View and disposed within said upstanding portion for driving said rotatable member, the lower end of said rotating member being free, whereby the rotation of said member will cause it to create ripples in the liquid disposed in the bowl to closely resemble a stream of projected water dropping into the bowl of liquid.

3. A device of the character described comprising a base having a bowl formed therein for hold ing a supply of liquid, an upstanding portion provided on said base and arranged at the rear of said bowl, an imitation liquid outlet opening provided on said upstanding portion adjacent the upper end thereof, a rotatable helical member disposed in position in front of said upstanding portion and extending between said opening and said bowl, said member being mounted for rotation at its upper end only and having its lower portion received in the body of liquid whereby its rotation will cause a creation of ripples in the liquid to closely resemble the inow of a stream of liquid into the bowl, and means for driving said rotatable member.

4. A device of the character described comprising a base havinga bowl formed therein for holding a supply of liquid, an upstanding portion carried by said base at the rear of said bowl and arranged so as to present a scenic effect, an imitation liquid outlet opening provided adjacent the upper end of said upstanding portion, a rotatable helical member mounted within said opening and extending downwardly to a point within the bowl, said helical member being constructed so as to simulate the appearance of running liquid when in rotation, the said member being mounted for rotation at the upper end only and having its lower end free so as to create a series of ripples in the bowl when rotating, and means for driving said rotatable member, said last mentioned means including a synchronous motor mounted in a recess provided in the rear of said upstanding portion.

JOHN J. ANDERLICK. 

